UNSW Law & Justice student supports human rights training in Timor-Leste

Second-year UNSW Law & Justice student Rhedyn Wong recently returned from Timor-Leste, where she supported the Diplomacy Training Program (DTP) in delivering its 33rd Annual Human Rights and Peoples’ Diplomacy Training Program. The Faculty of Law & Justice was proud to provide funding to DTP to enable Rhedyn’s participation, recognising the value of immersive, justice-focused learning experiences.

Held over two weeks, the program brought together human rights defenders from across the Asia-Pacific region to build skills in advocacy, diplomacy, and rights-based development. Rhedyn assisted with program delivery and engaged directly with grassroots advocates and international experts, gaining first-hand insight into the challenges and opportunities facing human rights defenders. 

During her visit, Rhedyn joined a delegation that met with President José Ramos-Horta, a founder of DTP alongside the late former UNSW Law Dean Professor Garth Nettheim, as well as representatives from the Australian embassy. She also visited Centro Nacional Chega!, a former prison used during the Indonesian occupation, now a site of truth and reconciliation.

“Whilst this was a confronting experience that emphasised the human impacts and continuing threat of human rights violations, it was also a place that demonstrated the power of truth and reconciliation in fostering peace, and especially the vital importance of programs like DTP,” Rhedyn said. 

Reflecting on her experience, she added:

“Being part of the program was incredibly inspiring. It deepened my awareness of the practical challenges facing human rights defenders and highlighted the real progress being made across the region. Connecting with such a diverse group of participants has encouraged me to think more deeply about how legal and political frameworks can support rights-focused development and governance for all, which is something I hope to explore further in my studies.” 

DTP’s long-standing partnership with the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) has been instrumental in building the capacity of Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Defenders (IPHRDs) across the region. Through joint training programs and advocacy initiatives at the UN and other platforms, DTP has helped equip Indigenous leaders with the tools to advance democratic pluralism, social equity, and inclusion.

“The Indigenous Peoples in Asia have tremendously benefitted from the training programmes of DTP and many are in fact leaders of the Indigenous Peoples movements in the region today,” said a spokesperson from AIPP. “We celebrate our partnership with DTP as we move towards the strategic direction of strengthening Indigenous Peoples Organizations and Leadership in advocacy and negotiation.” 

Professor Andrew Lynch, Dean of UNSW Law & Justice, said:

“We are incredibly proud of Rhedyn’s contribution to this important program. Her work in Timor-Leste exemplifies the Faculty’s commitments in our Law & Justice 2030 strategy, most notably deepening our relationship with affiliated centres and expanding immersive, experiential learning opportunities for students, especially those with an interest in social justice.” 

The Diplomacy Training Program, founded in 1989 by Nobel Laureate José Ramos-Horta and supported by UNSW Law & Justice, has trained thousands of human rights defenders across the globe.